09 December 2020
The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Executive Board has announced the sailing program for the 2024 Olympic games on 7 December 2020.
David Graham, World Sailing’s Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the announcement, commenting: “Today’s announcement by the IOC marks a positive step forward for showcasing the diversity and excitement of sailing at the Olympic Games.
“The list of events, approved by World Sailing’s Member National Authorities, truly represents the international landscape of sailing with dinghies, keelboats, kiteboarding, skiffs and windsurfers all included in the ten events. This change has been a complicated process to manage, and I take this opportunity to thank the thousands of hours of work, which has been done principally by our volunteer body.
“The Mixed Kiteboarding competition will be one of the fastest events at the Olympic Games, requiring speed, precision and teamwork in short-form, close-knit races.
“In addition, the Mixed 470 will require close collaboration between male and female teammates to master the dinghy that has established so many well-known champion sailors.
“We’re looking forward to continuing our close collaboration with the IOC and the Paris 2024 Organising Committee to answer the important questions on the Mixed Offshore Event to ensure safety and security of the world’s best sailors,” continued Graham.
“Offshore sailing is an exciting way of showcasing the sport and engaging fans worldwide with the thrill of adventure, eSport integration and sailors battling the elements. Marseille will be a perfect venue for the Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition, and we’re excited to progress the development of our sport with the IOC and Paris 2024.
“It is obviously disappointing to receive an athlete quota reduction, but this has impacted many sports, not just sailing. We appreciate the difficult decisions the IOC had to make in order to deliver the requirements set out in IOC Agenda 2020.”
The new events have been included in World Sailing’s Events Strategy for the next quadrennial with sailors already training and preparing for Paris 2024. World Sailing’s Events Committee will now review the individual event quotas to promote and grow universality and participation in all disciplines.
The safety and wellbeing of athletes in the Olympic Sailing Competition is a joint priority between the IOC, Paris 2024 and World Sailing. World Sailing will now work closely and quickly with the IOC and Paris 2024 to address the queries, in the hope to obtain final confirmation as soon as practicably possible.